The Ming Tombs, situated in the northwestern suburbs of Beijing, are collectively known as the mausoleums of the thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty. They represent one of the largest and most numerous imperial tomb complexes in China. These tombs are surrounded by mountains and graced by a meandering river at the front, creating a picturesque landscape with clear waters and lush greenery. Visitors to the site can immerse themselves in the architecture, scenery, and learn about the burial standards of ancient emperors.
Each of the Ming Tombs forms a unified whole, yet each stands alone, built in front of a mountain with similar but not identical specifications. The tombs are spaced apart, with distances ranging from half a kilometer to eight kilometers. Except for Si Ling, which is located in the southwest corner, the other tombs are arranged in a fan shape on either side of Changling. Currently, only Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling, and the Sacred Way are open to the public.
The Sacred Way, located at the southern end of the Ming Tombs, serves as a passage leading to the tomb area and is approximately 7 kilometers long. It is the first attraction of the Ming Tombs and consists of a stone archway, the Great Red Gate, a stele pavilion, stone figures of animals and humans, and the Dragon and Phoenix Gate. The stone archway at the southern end is one of the largest and earliest stone archways in China. From the two hexagonal stone pillars north of the stele pavilion to the Dragon and Phoenix Gate, there are 24 stone animals and 12 stone figures neatly arranged along the thousand-meter-long sacred path.Changling is located on the southern slope of the main peak of Tianshou Mountain. It is the joint tomb of the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chengzu (also known as the Yongle Emperor), and his empress Xu. It is one of the most magnificent in scale among the Ming Tombs and has well-preserved ground buildings. It is the ancestral tomb of the Ming Tombs and a main tourist attraction.
Dingling is located at the foot of Dayu Mountain, southwest of Changling. It is the tomb of the thirteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shenzong (also known as the Wanli Emperor), and also contains the tombs of his two empresses. The main structures include the Ling’en Gate, Ling’en Hall, Baocheng, Ming Tower, and the underground palace. It is the only tomb among the Ming Tombs that has been excavated and its underground palace is open for visitors.
Zhaoling is located on the eastern foothills of Dayu Mountain. It is the joint tomb of the twelfth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Muzong (also known as the Longqing Emperor), and his three empresses. It has intact structures such as the Ling’en Gate, Ling’en Hall, and its eastern and western side halls, square city, Ming Tower, and the treasure top. Zhaoling is the first tomb in the Ming Tombs to be restored on a large scale.
Bus routes and opening hours: From April 1st to October 7th, the site is open from 08:30 to 18:00; from October 8th to March 31st, it is open from 08:30 to 17:00.Concessions and Special Admissions at the Ming Tombs:
– Students aged 6 to 18 and full-time undergraduate students (excluding adult education) with valid documents enjoy half-price tickets.
– Social security recipients with valid social security cards are also eligible for half-price tickets.
– Youth from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with valid travel documents or student IDs receive half-price tickets.
– Children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters in height enter for free.
– Active military personnel and firefighters with valid documents (military security cards are not valid) enter for free.
– Disabled persons (including military disabled) with valid disability certificates or military disability certificates enter for free.
– Retired personnel with valid documents enter for free.
– Elderly persons aged 60 and above with valid documents enter for free.
– Holders of the Beijing Tongyi Elderly and Disabled Assistance Card enter for free with a formal card; those with a temporary card must also show their ID card.
– Veterans with a veteran’s preferential certificate enter for free.
Please note that the above information is for reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please check the information disclosed by the Beijing Ming Tombs scenic area on the day of your visit.
Parking Facilities at the Ming Tombs:
The **Shisanling Parking Lot** offers a reference price of 5 yuan/day for small cars and 10 yuan/day for large vehicles. It is conveniently located at the square in front of the Chang Tomb and has a capacity of 400 spaces. Restrooms are available within the scenic area, situated near the main red gate and various attractions, with clear signs for easy identification.Mother and Baby Rooms:
The Mother and Baby Room at the Ming Tombs is conveniently located at the Visitor Service Center and is available for free use by visitors.
Dining:
The park offers a variety of dining options. Restaurants can be found near the Chang Tomb and Ding Tomb scenic areas, which are marked with prominent signs for easy identification.
Souvenir Shops:
For those interested in purchasing souvenirs, the park has several shops. These are located near the Visitor Service Center, south of the Ding Tomb Museum entrance, in the central area of the Shen Road scenic area, and within the ‘Hu Cao Government Office’ compound. All shops are clearly marked with signs to assist visitors in finding them.
